Sewing machine gloat...

[llyd]

Sewed about three short test stitches amd the motor died....so, I tore the bloody thing apart and cleaned a half pound of lint out of it, and oiled everything, tore the motor apart and honed the armature and cleaned it, broke the glaze on the carbon brushes, and re assembled it...threaded, and played with the tensions a bit amd got it sewing pretty good...I am well pleased with it.
I am digging that pink Dressmaker....that is a fine machine...
The newish singer we bought has like 69 stitches...like I need all that...lol.

[Bill aka Mole]

And to think that some of us look at files and hammers in this same regard sometimes.

[brewerpaul]

And to think that some of us look at files and hammers in this same regard sometimes.

Along with the sewing machine is my years in cabinet making and millwork. I think what is present here is the use of the hands and the mind to create regardless of the medium. I spend time teaching Jennifer woodworking skills and she helps me with sewing. We all have our tools, some of us more than others.

[Dixiecat]

I think it's a mistake to compare older machines with newer machines. You get what you pay for in either era.

For instance, the Bernina 830 was never a cheap machine. Maybe in Germany where it was made, but here in North America you'd be lucky to find that machine when it was brand new for less than $800. My aunt bought one back in late 70's and it cost more than their car. That machine was head and shoulders above say a Featherweight or Dressmaker and it's price reflected that.

There is no comparison today between a bottom of the line older machine and a bottom of the line new machine. Of course the older machine is better built. It was cheaper then to build them. Today, in order for someone to afford the equivalent, the machine has to be built with cheaper materials. I'm not trying to excuse the quality, but if someone of limited income wanted to buy a new machine, they'd have to get one of the cheap models. Top of the line machines are still made with high quality parts and high quality control even if there's more plastic and electronics in them and their price reflects that. Having plastic in a machine doesn't make for a low-quality machine.

In order to match the quality of an older mechanical machine of the Bernina 830, you'd be looking at say a Pfaff Select 3.0 or a Bernina 330. Both of which are about $700-$800.

What's really interesting is that ALL the top brand sewing machine companies use the same factories in Asia. The bottom line Bernina, Viking, Janome are made by the same factories! Only the branding and small features changes.

Btw, I've taught sewing on both kinds of machines, and it's far, far easier to teach and for a student to learn on a newer model machine. Especially one that has a drop-in bobbin, automatic needle stop in up position, easy lock and easy threading.

[seumasFinn]

I (ab)used a Kenmore for years. A year or so back I got a Bernina on sale, forget the model, but it is like night and day. My only concern was that it is 'computerized' so I keep it unplugged when not in use and use a surge protector.

Funny you mention needle stop as it lets me set whether to stop in up or down which I find very helpful.

[llyd]

well, crap...motor heats up an dies...and cost an arm and a leg...I will disect the beast, I bet the bearings are gnasty.

[MNlad]

Llwyd, you could very well be right on the bearings, but it's a good chance it's just hardened grease causing the drag instead of real damage.

Dixie, I agree completely. Old vs. new in the same relative price range (given inflation) is comparing apples and oranges. With the old machines you're buying a workhorse. With the new machines it's a lot of great features, but a less robust machine. It's meeting what the consumer has come to expect and meeting a price point. And, yes, those newer machines are a lot easier for a beginner.

As for the tradeoff: My wife has a Viking #1. Outstanding machine when new, still a very capable sewing machine today, and anything but cheap. My antique Singer 15-91 knows only one stitch if I don't hang some old clunky accessories on it, but it will eat through some things, like mid-weight leather, I wouldn't have the heart to feed that Viking. (Don't get me wrong, I know That Singer is not an industrial Juki, and I hand advance the machine it when the motor begins to bog or get out the stitching pony and do it by hand.)

Call me a dinosaur, but I just love the craftsmanship and solid construction that went into those old machines.

By the way, brewerpaul, that Dressmaster is a Japanese clone of my old Singer, although I believe it used an external motor instead of an internal motor and screw drive like the 15-91. Those old Dressmasters were very well build machines.

[Katia]

Man, lucky. I'm hoping to find an older Singer or Kenmore to hone my skills on, and people around here are nuts-- that includes Craigslist AND the thrift stores. The thrift stores always mark things way up-- a local one had a Singer 66 not long ago; it wasn't in bad shape though it had few accessories tucked away in the cabinet (and when I saw it again a week later, the accessories had mysteriously disappeared... inc. the needle plate...). They wanted $150 for it. I know of people who talk about getting machines for 5 or 10 bucks at a thrift store (and one who even found one for $2.99... and got it for 15% off...). You gotta be kidding me; not any thrift stores *I* know. I doubt they'd consider that kind of change to be worth dragging it out to the sales floor.

Around here on Craigslist, people commonly want $100-$200+ for machines that... just aren't worth that. Half the time they can't be bothered to even take pictures. They all say "ooh it's old it must be worth something!" and run with it...


I'll be hitting the flea markets and yard sales and crossing my fingers, and also calling the repair places...

[Dixiecat]

As for the tradeoff: My wife has a Viking #1. Outstanding machine when new, still a very capable sewing machine today, and anything but cheap. My antique Singer 15-91 knows only one stitch if I don't hang some old clunky accessories on it, but it will eat through some things, like mid-weight leather, I wouldn't have the heart to feed that Viking. (Don't get me wrong, I know That Singer is not an industrial Juki, and I hand advance the machine it when the motor begins to bog or get out the stitching pony and do it by hand.)

Again, you're comparing apples to oranges. The computerized machines are programmed to stop the motor when it encounters stress or bogs down as you say your Singer does. It's a safety feature that older machines don't have. I have a Pfaff 7550, comparable to the Viking #1. It will eat everything too with a little help. Just because you don't have the heart to feed it to the Viking, doesn't mean it can't take it.

My Pfaff is a fancy-dancy machine, but those features don't make it any less than the workhorse you say your Singer is. It's solid and made with quality workmanship.

[llyd]

I will stick with older boat anchor machines. I like them.
That newish singer is junque. Messed with it for a bit the other day...plastic toy crap.

I have not opened the serger back up yet...once I get paid next week I will pop up to the local sewing joint amd get a fresh pair of carbon brushes for the motor..I might diassemble it tomorrow as it is supposed to rain for the next couple days. I had cut out three pieces of cotton duck amd was serging them together to male a cover for the machine when it died..it sews nicely...it sure has some miles on it though.